Egyptian court sentences 139 pro-Morsi protesters to 2-year prison terms

Pro-Morsi supporters convicted on charges ranging from rioting to sabotage

Ousted Egyptian leader Mohamed Morsi (GETTY IMAGES)

An Egyptian court has convicted 139 supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi on charges including rioting and sabotage.

They will serve a prison sentence of two years each for staging a pro-Morsi street protest calling for his immediate reinstatement on 15 July, Egyptian news agency MENA reported.

The demonstration led to clashes with residents and street vendors in the district of Bab el-Shaariya in downtown Cairo.

The defendants will have to pay $700 in fines to have their sentences suspended until a higher court issues a final verdict on the case, the agency added.

Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian military following days of mass protests calling for his resignation on 3 July. He has been detained ever since.

Earlier this month, Egyptian prosecutors referred the ousted leader to a third trial on charges of murder after he escaped prison during the uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

He is already on trial over allegations that he incited supporters to murder and violence.